§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by European Union member state(a) the number of applications for citizenship of that member state which are currently being processed and (b) the number of applications for political asylum.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThe number of applications for British citizenship which were outstanding at the end of January 1995 in the United Kingdom was 42,327. Corresponding information on citizenship applications in other EU member states is not available. Information on persons who applied for asylum was given in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Davyhulme (Mr. Churchill), on 3 February 1995,Official Report, column 899.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the numbers of legal immigrants accepted by each European Union member state in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThe information available relates to gross inward migration, including temporary migration, of non-EEA nationals into European Union countries in 1992, and is given in the table. Corresponding data for 1993–94 are not yet available.
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Country Gross inward migration of non-EEA nationals in 19921 Belgium 27,000 Denmark 15,000 France 85,800 Germany 1,080,000 Greece 10,400 Ireland 4,600 Italy n/a
Country Gross inward migration of non-EEA nationals in 19921 Luxembourg 2,740 Netherlands 58,700 Portugal 12,100 Spain 18,500 United Kingdom 50.8002 Austria3 n/a Finland3 9,240 Sweden3 31,000 n/a Not available. 1 Source: Burostat (except for the United Kingdom figure) based on annual returns from member countries. Definitions will vary between countries but are likely to include temporary migration, mainly for six months or longer. 2 Figure relates to non-EEA nationals accepted for settlement, that is, allowed to stay indefinitely, in 1992. The corresponding figure for 1993 was 54,200. 3 Joined the European Union on 1 January 1995.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities are available for people with hearing impediments seeking entry into the United Kingdom, with special reference to those seeking political refugee status at ports of entry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThere arc no special facilities at immigration controls at ports for interviewing people with hearing impediments. The interviewing officer is required to confirm and record in writing that an applicant for asylum understands what is being communicated and that he or she is understood. If necessary, information will be obtained in writing using translator assistance as necessary.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legal objections have been reported to him advising that for the police to withdraw passports from known troublemakers wishing to travel overseas would be illegal; in what way the powers differ from the powers of Immigration Service officers to retain passports from people wishing to enter the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe police have no power to remove a passport from someone unless passport facilities have been withdrawn from him by my right hon. and learned Friend under the royal prerogative or a court has required surrender of the passport. The Immigration Service has power to retain the passport of someone seeking entry until the person concerned is given leave to enter the United Kingdom or is about to depart or be removed following refusal of leave.